“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.”

On September 14, 2017, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA) received
the Anne Frank Award, given by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to
an American person or organization who has demonstrated a body of work which
confronts intolerance, anti-Semitism, racism or discrimination, while upholding
freedom and equal rights.

JRS is being honored for our work improving access to education for
refugees and others affected by war and conflict. Operating in over 50
countries around the world, and rooted in the Jesuit commitment to education,
JRS offers quality educational programs and a variety of educational opportunities
for refugees and displaced persons in refugee camps and in non-camp settings.

In gratitude for this honor,
JRS/USA is proud to announce an essay competition in collaboration with the
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Jesuit Schools Network, and
America Media.

As a refugee herself, and memorably in her remarkable diary, Anne Frank
gave an example of courage, compassion and hope that can serve as a beacon for
refugees and displaced persons in our world today. We hope this competition
creates an opportunity to raise awareness and conversation around the lives of
refugees and how Jesuit educated students can take action.

Essay Question: What can
Anne Frank’s life and legacy teach us about how to address the current global
refugee crisis – more than 65 million people displaced today globally, the
highest levels World War II? How can you, as a young person, take action to
address these challenges?

Submission Details: Essays
will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. ET on January 15, 2018 and must be submitted through
form by clicking
here. Submissions will be reviewed by a committee including staff from
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, the Jesuit Schools Network, and America Media.

Awards:

·1st Place -
$1,000 monetary prize & essay will be published in America

·2nd Place - $500
monetary prize

·3rd Place - $250
monetary prize

Winners will be announced in April 2018.

Information
regarding the Lessons from Anne Essay Competition can also be found on www.jrsusa.org/annefrank.
Questions? Please email Giulia McPherson at gmcpherson@jesuits.org

Countries Related to this Region

United States of America

Download the guidelines for the competition to be shared with parents, teachers, and students